Chapter Text
You Could Read a Book
Rumpelstiltskin watched as Belle spread her arms wide and spun with joy.
“Really? It's all mine?”
“Every inch.” He grinned and quickly feigned indifference. “I really don't use it.”
“You don't?” Belle's eyes were already roaming the shelves of the huge library, her hands were twitching at her sides like she couldn't wait to start pulling volumes down and devouring them. “Why ever not? You'll probably have to drag me away from it.”
“Oh don't you worry dearie, I will. My meals will still need to be cooked and my straw baskets will need restocking.”
“Of course, Rumpelstiltskin.” Belle smiled timidly, coming to stand before him. “I won't neglect my household duties. Thank you, thank you so much for this.”
She reached up on her tiptoes to place a chaste kiss on his green-gold cheek. Rumpelstiltskin felt his face heat and cleared his voice.
“Yes. Well. I hope there will be something of interest here for you, nothing is in order and I dare say a lot of it is rubbish...”
But she was already skimming the spines of the books closest to her, small smile playing on her lips. He watched as she pulled a red-covered volume of the shelf with a cry of surprise and joy. She opened the book and caressed the pages almost lovingly. Rumpelstiltskin had to forcibly stop his thoughts from wandering to other things she could caress that way.
“This is one of my favourites.” She looked at him, eyes shining. “The hero in disguise, the brave heroine and the battles they faced together...it's brilliant.”
“I'm glad you found something dearie, though I can't say I see the appeal in that sort of a fantasy.”
“Oh but that is the appeal!” Belle exclaimed. “Getting lost in these worlds of magic and adventure and happy endings...it's escapism.”
“Escapism?” Rumpelstiltskin murmured, wondering exactly what Belle had to escape from before the ogres and the Dark One entered her life.
“Can-can I show you?” She held out her hand shyly and to his own surprise Rumpelstiltskin placed his scaly one in hers. She dragged him to the small couch near the library's fireplace and sat him down before arranging herself comforably next to him. Belle opened the book and cleared her throat.
“Once upon a time, in a faraway land, a young prince lived in a shining castle.”
She was curling into him, her hair was close enough to tickle his neck and the scent of roses was driving him mad. Why hadn't he left her to it? Why couldn't he resist watching her face light up?
“Although he had everything his heart desired, the prince was spoiled, selfish and unkind...”
Rumpelstiltskin closed his eyes and let her words wash over him, giving into the simple pleasure of having her close.